Walsall 3-1 Colchester: Report

27 March 2012 11:01

Walsall moved out of the League One relegation zone with a superb 3-1 win over play-off chasing Colchester, who slumped to their first defeat in 10 games at the Banks's Stadium.

The Saddlers had to come from behind to register their first win in five, mainly thanks to young Argentinian midfielder Emmanuel Ledesma who scored one and made one.

Colchester made a great start, taking the lead in the 11th minute when a flowing counter-attack ended with Andy Bond finding Anthony Wordsworth. who swept a fine left-footed shot into the top corner for his 12th of the season.

Walsall were sluggish but picked up the pace and defender Manny Smith was unlucky to see a header rebound off the crossbar after 28 minutes, but 10 minutes later they were level.

Ledesma, who recently rejoined the club, bent a superb 25-yard free-kick beyond Ben Williams to register his first goal since returning to the midlands outfit.

That lifted Walsall and they went in front a minute before half-time, full-back Mat Sadler notching his first for the club with a low drive when Williams failed to cut out Alex Nicholls' cross.

And the Saddlers made sure of victory when Ledesma cleverly beat the U's defence and crossed for substitute George Bowerman to head a third after 74 minutes.